Matt Alexander, Associate

 mlalexander@umcsc.org  | 803-379-6282

Matt is a team-oriented relational leader who enjoys developing people for service in ministry. He holds himself to high standards and is detail oriented yet practical. As a coach and consultant, Matt's passions center on empowering others (persons and ministries) to embrace their passions, gifts, and skills to live fully into God's calling. He has served in pastoral ministry for nearly two decades and has successfully led churches through a myriad of shifts, including: community engagement, ministry paradigm shifts, church merger, demolition and construction projects, real estate transactions, leadership restructuring, small group program launches, establishing online giving, stewardship campaigns, budget overhauls, and grant writing. Matt is appointed to serve as the pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church in Aiken, SC. Reach out to explore opportunities for coaching or consulting with Matt.

George Ashford, Associate

gaashford@umcsc.org | (803) 920-7249 

Dr. George A. Ashford, Jr. demonstrated a strong entrepreneurial spirit in birthing and launching Journey Church in Columbia, SC. Further, his experience in marketing and his pastoral training have allowed him to approach church planting with a unique blend of spiritual guidance and practical business sense. George is experienced in shepherding a church through stages of development, adjusting approaches to leadership and ministry in order to expand capacity. His entrepreneurial approach in risk taking, innovation, leadership, perseverance, and vision casting has been crucial in mentoring other entrepreneurial pastor leaders. George is a trained coach and experienced consultant, an able partner for motivated clergy, church staff, and congregations.

 Books by Dr. Ashford - “Lose to Win”

Michael Bingham, associate

michaelbingham.tn@gmail.com | (803) 727-6019

Michael began his professional career in the business world, working in processing control and industrial management. For over 25 years, he has served as a youth minister, fire department chaplain and local church pastor. Whether it is a factory floor, disaster scene, personal tragedy, prison cell, firehouse or worship space Michael brings humor, insight and the grace of a loving God. Michael draws from these varied experiences to bring a fresh perspective to consulting and coaching. He has a passion for helping individuals grow as disciples who walk in the Way of Jesus and churches reach their full potential as gathered communities. Michael and his wife live in Greenville, South Carolina, where he serves as lead pastor at Aldersgate United Methodist Church.

Rhonda Blevins, web design coordinator

rabbottblevins@gmail.com | 727-643-6795

Rhonda has been in ministry for over twenty-five years, serving as a campus minister, a denominational leader, associate pastor, and pastor. Discovering a knack for graphic design in 1994, she has also worked as a graphic designer in both employee and freelance roles. Earning her Doctor of Ministry in 2014, Rhonda studied the effects of gratitude on well-being among parishioners. Now she is grateful to align her passion for helping churches alongside her interest in digital design to help congregations put their best digital foot forward. A trained coach and certified Enneagram trainer, Rhonda (7w8) leads the Ascend Enneagram initiative for Pinnacle. Rhonda serves as Pastor of Chapel by the Sea on Clearwater Beach, Florida, where she and her family reside.

david brown, Associate

davidb@pinnlead.com | 803-984-6964

David’s relational approach to ministry helps people connect the stories of their lives to the larger story of God's work in the world. For more than two decades, David has enjoyed walking alongside teenagers, college students, and adults on the journey of faith. His doctoral work in Christian Leadership focuses on the ways that the traditions and practices of the earliest Christians can help shape and form future expressions of the church. David also serves a pastor of The Welcome Table while residing in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

Terrell Carter, Affiliate

terrellcarter@msn.com | 803-673-3634

TRAINING
Doctor of Ministry, Congregational Health with an emphasis in Missional Church
Doctor of Theology
Master of Fine Arts in Arts Management and Leadership
Bachelor of Science with a double major in Bible and Organizational Leadership

WORK EXPERIENCE
Lead Pastor, Interim Pastor, Associate Pastor, and Minister of Administration within congregations in St. Louis, MO
Site Coordinator and Director, FOUNDATIONS in Ministry Program, Central Baptist Theological Seminary, St. Louis
Adjunct Instructor, St. Louis Community College
Executive Director of the North Newstead Association, a community development corporation, St. Louis, MO
Executive Director, Senior Social Service Agency, St. Louis, MO
Contributor to ethicsdaily.com and baptistnews.com
Pinnacle Associate
Director, Field Education, Central Baptist Theological Seminary. Currently Vice President of Community Life and Chief Diversity Officer at Greenville University, Greenville, Illinois.

AUTHOR
Walking the Blue Line: A Police Officer Turned Community Activist Provides Solutions to the Racial Divide and
Machiavellian Ministry, Pinnacle Leadership Press 

Click here for Terrell’s website. 

doug cushing, associate

52drdoug@gmail.com | 864-590-5527

When you are ready to move ahead, taking initiative toward positive growth and mission advancement, Doug is glad to partner with you. High energy, along with experiential wisdom, makes Doug an effective Pinnacle Associate. Individuals, congregations, and denominations value Doug’s coaching and collaboration. Not only does Doug provide effective coaching, consulting, and training, but he has fun doing both. Doug resides in Leland, North Carolina where he is also the pastor of The Bridge Presbyterian Church (USA).

John Daugherty, Associate

jpdaug@gmail.com | 865-292-8025

John has over 45 years of ministry experience serving on church staff providing leadership in spiritual formation, youth and children ministries, as music minister, associate pastor and senior pastor. In addition to serving the church he has worked as a social worker and social work supervisor and as a denominational leader. He's recently retired as the executive director of a para-church non-profit organization, Operation Inasmuch. He is passionate about equipping and encouraging the church to impact their communities through love, service and welcome. He loves finding creative ways for congregations to partner with neighbors and other churches to be more effective in their kingdom work. John and his family reside in Conway, SC.

Christopher Girardeau, associate

christopher.girardeau@gmail.com | 864-706-4452

Christopher is ordained through the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) as a minister of Word and Sacrament, with 10+ years of experience in different areas of ministry—children, youth, young adults, music, and chaplaincy. Drawing upon over eighteen years of military leadership experience and years of formal and informal ministry training, Christopher seeks to help congregations and ministry leaders to discern and implement their “why”.  So many people and congregations are coming to the difficult realization that the world and the Church have drastically changed from the way things used to be.  Christopher excels at helping others figure out who and what God is calling them to be “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). Christopher and his family live in Lancaster, South Carolina where he serves as Pastor at Reformation Lutheran Church (ELCA).

Lexanne K. Graves, Associate

lgraves910@gmail.com  | 803-315-3828

Deacon Lexanne K. Graves was ordained in 2000 through the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and has served congregations in lifelong faith formation, children and youth ministry, pastoral care, leadership development, social media content creation, and social justice awareness while facilitating teamwork among staff and committees. She also presently serves the ELCA South Carolina Synod as its Vice President through August 2025 and has assisted in policy-making and procedures from a local, synodical, and national perspective. Leaning into over two decades of ministry experience from cradle to grave, Lexanne seeks to support individuals, leaders and congregations move forward into their identified purpose and calling in life through coaching and consulting. She and her husband reside in Blythewood, SC with their two children. 

debra griffis-woodberry, associate

pastor_d@live.com | 843-906-0253

Debra’s vocational journey includes a wide variety of people and congregational development work. Much of her focus has been on the local church, serving as a pastor. Designing and structuring formative experiences for disciples is a joy for Debra. Now she is developing people through her work as a Certified Peoplemap Trainer and Coach, her primary niche as a Pinnacle Associate. Debra lives in McCormick, South Carolina

ircel harrison, coaching coordinator

ircelh@pinnlead.com | 615-423-8223

“This is a pivotal time for church,” observes Ircel Harrison. “Changes in culture and society provide us with not only with challenges but with new opportunities to engage in Kingdom work.” Individuals, congregations, and not-for-profit organizations find Ircel to be an able companion as they engage their ministry contexts. Ircel provides coaching, consulting, and training as a Pinnacle Associate, while also serving as our Coaching Coordinator. Ircel resides in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Peggy Haymes, Associate

peggy@peggyhaymes.com | 336-655-7369

In over thirty years of ministry, Peggy Haymes has served as a therapist, church staff member, interim pastor, devotional magazine editor, hospital chaplain and coach. Her great delight in ministry is empowering people and churches to live into the fullness of all that God created them to be. Through Pinnacle she lives this out through coaching clergy and churches as well as leading workshops and retreats. She’s also the author of eight books (and counting), and enjoys bringing her creative spirit to all of her work. She lives in Winston-Salem, NC.

dan holloway, consulting coordinator

rdholloway65@gmail.com | 803-367-3093

Dan has provided pastoral leadership for churches ranging in size from 37 to 1300 and has also served the larger church in a wide variety of ways, including long-range vision work and training opportunities for church leaders. Congregations have consistently grown under his leadership both numerically and spiritually. Dan is delighted to join Pinnacle Leadership Associates in its important and timely ministry. He is convinced that Pinnacle is asking the right questions and doing the right things to help churches and individuals make the needed shift in this time of challenge and change. He is an avid golfer and lifetime fan of the Alabama Crimson Tide. Dan and his family reside in Irmo, SC.

BILL IRELAND, associate

BIreland1237@gmail.com | 706-537-5703

Enter into a conversation with Bill and you’ll soon discover that he genuinely cares about ministers and the future of the church. He brings to his work at Pinnacle over 40 years’ experience as a pastor in virtually every size congregation and setting. He sees “conversations that matter” as a vehicle for growth and development, both for ministers and the churches they serve. Preaching is one of his strongest gifts, and he relishes working with ministers seeking to improve their pulpit presence.A recent graduate of the Georgetown University Institute for Transformational Leadership, he has been trained as an Executive Leadership Coach and has the necessary tools to offer coaching to ministers and other leaders. He brings to his work a quick wit and a raucous sense of humor. Bill and his family reside in Norris, Tennessee, where he is also pastor of Norris Religious Fellowship.

helen hood renew, pinnacle leadership press coordinator

helenp@pinnlead.com | 803-673-3634

Helen began with Pinnacle as an Associate providing services. Over time, her expertise in organization and development facilitated her move into the role of Operations Coordinator. Now Helen coordinates the internal logistics of Pinnacle, equipping us to function smoothly. By day, one will find Helen in a classroom, training students to reach goals. Our entire team is grateful for Helen's passion for organizational structure and processes.

Steve Roper

srroper@gmail.com | 423-650-2200

Steve believes strongly in the value and potential of every person. It has been that perspective that has informed and guided his 4+ decades of ministry experience. He seeks to help others understand their own giftedness as well as build upon their potential. Helping clients realize their own unique, next, best steps in life is where Steve receives satisfaction and meaning.  Though having served local churches as a staff member, both Baptist and United Methodist, it has been his 32 years at a denominational level, working with young adults, that has formed much of his career interest in developing Next Generation leaders. It is his own unique experiences that have led Steve to Pinnacle where he will offer coaching and consulting.  Steve lives in Cleveland, Tennessee.

robin sandbothe, Associate

robinrsandbothe@gmail.com | 816-210-9148

A certified life coach, Rev. Robin R Sandbothe has discovered the joy of helping you discover or rediscover who you are or want to be, what you want to do, and how to get there. She can help you discover your inner wisdom, find your own answers, set your own agenda. 

Out of her deep passion for being spiritually formed and leading others in practicing their faith, Robin earned a certificate in spiritual formation and has led numerous retreats and studies for local congregations and denominations. You will find her an able partner who comes alongside congregations and individuals as they pursue practices of faith such as discernment, centering prayer, lectio divina, labyrinth walking, as well as other spiritually formative practices.

In addition to her Pinnacle ministry, Robin is an ordained Baptist minister, currently serving as pastor for Bethel Church in Columbia, Missouri. 

dana seiler, associate

revdvaughn@gmail.com

Dana has been working in ordained ministry for 10 years.  During that time she has served as a Solo Pastor, a Head of Staff, and as an Associate Pastor.  She understands the joys as well as the complexities of those various roles.  Dana is the mother of a little girl, and has first hand knowledge about the difficulties of being a female in ministry, and also the challenges of being a mother in ministry.  She is passionate about coaching and inspiring folks to rise above the difficulties of ministry as they discern their path forward and create a thriving ministry.

Dana is serving as an Associate Pastor for children, youth, mission and pastoral care at Unity Presbyterian Church in Denver, NC.

Eric Spivey, associate

etspivey@gmail.com | 706-499-9999

Findley Edge’s challenge in The Greening of the Church drives Eric’s ministry: “The gift of salvation and the call to ministry are one and the same.” His ministry has centered on this connection between discipleship—saying yes to Jesus—and missional living—God’s vocation. His experience includes ministry both outside and inside the local congregation. Eric enjoys coaching individuals and congregations in discovering and living out this calling in 21st Century America. Eric serves as senior pastor of Vestavia Hills Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama.

Jad Taylor, Associate

jdtayloriii@umcsc.org | 803-463-6655

Since 2008, Jad has served in youth, college, and pastoral ministry. Currently Jad is serving as the Campus Minister for the Methodist Student Network in Columbia, SC, cultivating a thriving faith community for college-aged adults. Ordained as a United Methodist pastor, Jad has a passion for creating welcoming spaces where all of God’s children (that includes you!) can flourish. Through coaching and consulting, Jad seeks to foster sacred exploration and translate faith into action. He empowers individuals and ministries to bridge the gap between their current calling and the divine possibilities that await. Jad walks alongside you in this collaborative process, listening for where God is at work and offering support for next steps. Jad calls Cayce (Columbia), SC home. You might find him running along the river, playing racquetball, contra dancing with friends, or exploring nature with his spouse and their dog, Rayna.

Michael A. Turner, Associate

michael.turner@mthorebchurch.org | 864-593-8998

Michael has made Jesus’ last words his first priority: “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.” For 24 years, passion around the Great Commission has fueled Michael in ministry as United Methodist pastor, 12 of which have been spent leading large churches. During that time, Michael has gained a wealth of experience in leading culture change, growth, and a myopic missional focus. Leveraging all aspects of congregational life, he has helped congregations navigate traumatic events, build healthy and effective staff teams, make the shift from a membership to discipleship mentality, and develop an outwardly focus, all while experiencing significant spiritual and numeric growth in the process. He loves helping other leaders guide congregations into God’s future.

Michael resides in Lexington, South Carolina where he also serves as Executive Pastor of Mt. Horeb Church.

Ronald “Dee” Vaughan, Associate

rdvaughans@gmail.com | 864-630-0045

“Asking the right questions at the right time can dramatically change the direction of a life or a congregation.” 

Dr. Ronald “Dee” Vaughan brings more than forty years of ministry experience to his coaching and consulting work on the Pinnacle team, serving as a student minister, campus ministry intern, hospital and fire department chaplain, interim pastor, university and graduate school teacher, and senior pastor of five congregations. Known as a creative communicator, Dee uses a variety of preaching styles including his favorite, the dramatic monologue, and loves to coach ministers in strengthening their presentation skills.  

Dee has written seven books on topics as diverse as depression and The Andy Griffith Show, including Making the Shift Worship Resources with Pinnacle Leadership Press.  Having recently retired from fulltime pastoral ministry, Dee presently serves as the Interim Pastor of Greenlawn Baptist Church in Columbia, SC.

Patrick Vaughn, Associate

patrickvaughn01@comcast.net | 803-673-3634

TRAINING
Bachelor of Science; Master of Divinity; Doctor of Ministry; ACPE and AAPC
WORK EXPERIENCE
Solo Pastor, Tirzah and Old Waxhaw Presbyterian Churches, Lancaster, South Carolina
Pastor and Head of Staff, Harbor View Presbyterian Church, Charleston, South Carolina
Pastor and Head of Staff, Paoli Presbyterian Church, Paoli, Pennsylvania
Co-Pastor, Red Clay Creek Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, Delaware
AUTHOR
Unlikely Glimpses Of Grace, Chai Café Productions, 2014
Patrick Blogs at The Unlikely Preacher.

Marci Wilson-Boggs, Operations Coordinator

mewilsonboggs@gmail.com |615-968-6555

Marci is a certified Project Manager and Social Media Marketer who graduated in May, 2020, from Central Seminary (Shawnee, KS) in the Women’s Leadership Initiative scholarship program with her Masters of Divinity (MDiv) degree. She is currently working with Pinnacle as our Operations Coordinator.

Mary J. Wood, associate

calvinucc_revmary@yahoo.com | 419-276-3287

Mary has served the local church as a pastor for over 30 years. For 19 years she has also served alongside the Karen hill tribe refugee community along the Thai-Burma (Myanmar) border. She understands the difficulty of change, especially faced by refugees and well-established churches in the USA. Mary states, "Giving space to grieve losses felt in the changing church is needed. Even in times of loss, asking just one curious question may help raise eyes to gain a positive new perspective." Mary creatively helps churches and leaders notice who they are and who they want to be in a changing world using Appreciative Inquiry, a tool to leverage positive change. Mary is a Pinnacle Associate and pastor of a historic ethnic church on the east side of Toledo, Ohio.

Beth Yarborough, associate

Byarborough1999@gmail.com | 803-707-8824

Accelerating movement in vibrant congregations while partnering with God to breathe new life into declining congregations are consistent themes running through Beth’s vocational journey. Her enthusiasm, ability to build relationships, and keen listening skills are a few of the tools she uses for assisting churches in strengthening current paths as well as enjoy growth. Through serving in multiple roles in churches while also serving through her denomination as a consultant, Beth brings rich experience to the Pinnacle Team. She is eager to consult with congregations and coach leaders who are pursuing God’s calling. After serving churches in Tennessee, Virginia, and North Carolina, Beth and her spouse live in her native state of South Carolina, making Williston and Lake Murray their home.